Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation

News Release

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Commission on Health and
Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC) is requesting feedback from the community and
interested parties on several works-in-progress, including draft recommendations for
changes to improve information to workers, draft informational materials, and a draft
Issue Report on Labor Code Section 5814 penalties.

The Commission, since its inception in 1994, has
conducted several studies which have documented the experience of injured workers seeking
information and help in the California workers compensation system. The draft
recommendations to improve the information provided to workers were prepared at the
request of the Commission based on those studies. The draft recommendations include
proposed legislation, suggestions on developing regulations and guidelines to implement
the proposed legislation, further study of methods to enforce employers
informational requirements, and further study of problems related to delays in the
decision to accept or deny a claim.

The Commission is requesting comments on a draft
factsheet entitled "Working After a Job Injury." This factsheet was designed to
enable the reader to understand essential facts and concepts in complicated areas of
workers compensation and return-to-work. When finalized, this will be the latest in
a series of factsheets developed by the Commission as a public service for use by all
interested parties at no charge.

The Commission is also asking for comments on its
December 1999 Draft Issue Paper on Labor Code Section 5814 penalties. CHSWC legal
consultants prepared this work based upon research conducted in district offices of the
Division of Workers Compensation and information received as a result of a
call for information to the workers compensation community.

The Commission, created by the workers'
compensation reform legislation of 1993, is charged with overseeing the health and safety
and workers' compensation systems in California and recommending administrative or
legislative modifications to improve their operation. The Commission was established to
conduct a continuing examination of the workers' compensation system and of the state's
activities to prevent industrial injuries and occupational diseases and to examine those
programs in other states.

Further information about the Commission and its
activities -- including copies of the draft materials on which the Commission is
requesting comments -- may be obtained by writing to Christine Baker, Executive Officer,
Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, 10th
Floor, San Francisco, California 94102, by calling (415) 703-4220, or by faxing a request
to (415) 703-4234. Information is also available at www.dir.ca.gov.